Method and apparatus for separating selected cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from a series of rapidly moving equidistant articles

ABSTRACT

Cigarettes or like rod-shaped articles are conveyed sideways in equidistant flutes of a rotary drum at a speed of at least one thousand articles per minute and along an ejecting station having a width which substantially exceeds and can be a multiple of the distance between a pair of neighboring flutes. Selected articles are ejected from their flutes in response to electric or pneumatic signals by being subjected to the action of a mechanical force and/or to the action of a force produced by a stream of gaseous fluid whereby the point of application of the force moves with the flute which contains the respective selected article while such flute travels through the ejecting station. The articles can be held in their flutes by suction or by mechanical means, and the suction or the mechanical retaining action is terminated when a selected article reaches the ejecting station so that the selected articles are separated under the action of gravity and/or under the action of centrifugal force. The action of gravity and/or centrifugal force can be assisted by directing against selected articles in the ejecting station one or more streams of a compressed gaseous fluid which are caused to move with the respective flutes at the same speed and in the same direction while such flutes travel along the ejecting station.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for segregatingor separating selected rod-shaped articles from a series of rapidlymoving articles, particularly for segregating tobacco-containing plainor filter-tipped rod-shaped articles or sections of filter rods whilesuch articles or sections move sideways. For example, the method andapparatus of the present invention can be utilized to segregatedefective rod-shaped tobacco-containing articles or defective sectionsof filter rods from a row of such articles or sections wherein thedefective articles or sections are in random distribution withsatisfactory articles or sections.

In the manufacture of cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, filter rodsections and analogous rod-shaped articles which are used in themanufacture of or constitute smokers' products, the articles are testedat one or more stations to segregate from satisfactory articles thosearticles which exhibit one or more defects, for example, to segregatesections of a wrapped tobacco filler rod or filter rod if such sectionsexhibit a leak (such as a hole in the wrapper or an unsatisfactory seambetween the overlapping marginal portions of the wrapper) or if thefiller of a section is too dense or contains less than the desiredquantity of tobacco and/or filter material. .[.If.]. .Iadd.It.Iaddend.is also known to break up rows of closely adjacent rod-shapedarticles by removing from the row each second, third, etc. article inorder to convert a single row into two or more rows or to stack selectedarticles in trays or other types of containers. Furthermore, segregationof selected articles from a predetermined path wherein the articles movelengthwise or sideways is often necessary in order to convert a file ofarticles which move axially into one or more rows of articles which movesideways, or vice versa.

In the majority of presently known machines for the mass-production ofcigarettes or like rod-shaped articles, the defective articles aresegregated by pneumatic ejecting means. The ejecting means receiveselectrical or pneumatic signals which are produced by the detector ordetectors of a testing unit and are employed to effect the segregationof articles at an ejecting or segregating station having a width whichequals or approximates the distance between two neighboring articles.The detector or detectors scan the wrappers, the fillers and/or theheads of articles and produce signals in response to detection of one ormore defects. Since a modern cigarette making machine produces up to 70cigarettes per second, the testing of cigarettes must be carried out atthe same speed and, therefore, the intervals for ejection of a defectivearticle which is flanked by two satisfactory articles are extremelyshort. As a rule, the length of intervals which are allotted forejection of defective articles in the range of one or more milliseconds.It is very difficult and highly expensive to produce satisfactorypneumatic valves which are capable of responding to electrical orpneumatic signals without any delay or with a delay which permits forsegregation of a rapidly advancing article within an interval of a fewmilliseconds. Delayed opening of valves can result in ejection ofsatisfactory articles (in addition to or instead of defective articles).If the valve or valves remain open longer than for the interval which isrequired to move a defective article through a distance corresponding tothat between the centers of two neighboring articles, a satisfactoryarticle which follows a defective article is likely to be segregatedwith such defective article. Furthermore, if the defective articles areejected by streams of compressed air, it takes a certain amount of timebefore the air pressure in the conduits for compressed air builds up toa value which is satisfactory for reliable expulsion of the selectedarticle.

Certain recent types of electromagnetic valves are capable of openingand closing with a minimum of delay; however, the useful life of suchvalves is so short that they must be replaced at very frequent intervalsand the valves are so expensive that they contribute excessively to thecost of testing apparatus for cigarettes or the like. Furthermore, sincethe valves are prone to malfunction after short periods of use, they arelikely to cause ejection of satisfactory articles or to permit passageof defective articles during the interval which elapses between thestart of malfunction and the detection of faulty operation of a valve.The operating speed of modern cigarette making or like machines beingvery high, even short-lasting malfunctioning of valves which aresupposed to effect segregation of defective articles is likely to resultin substantial losses in output or in the production, packing and saleof large quantities of defective products.

It is also known to segregate defective articles by gravity, bycentrifugal force or by a combination of such forces with each otherand/or with a pneumatically produced force. For example, the articlesare advanced along a circular path and are held against the action ofgravity and/or centrifugal force by mechanical and/or pneumatic means.The retaining force which acts upon a defective article is terminated inresponse to detection of a defect. Such methods and apparatus exhibitthe drawbacks of the aforediscussed proposals, i.e., it is difficult toterminate the retaining action within a very short interval of time inorder to insure that the ejecting force (e.g., gravity or centrifugalforce) will act only upon a defective article but will be unable todislodge a satisfactory article which precedes or follows the defectivearticle.

It can be said that the development of reliable ejecting or segregatingdevices lags behind the development of machines for the mass-productionand testing of plain or filter cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos andfilter rod sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method ofreliably segregating selected rod-shaped articles from a file or row ofrapidly moving equidistant articles in such a way that the segregationof selected articles can be carried out without affecting the speedand/or orientation of remaining articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method ofsegregating selected rod-shaped articles from a row or file ofequidistant articles which travel through a segregating or ejectingstation at a speed of not less than 1,000 and up to and more than 4,000articles per minute.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedmethod of reliably segregating defective plain or filter-tipped cigars,cigarillos, cigarettes of unit length or multiple unit length and/orfilter rod sections of unit length or multiple unit length from a row orfile of such articles wherein the defective articles are in randomdistribution with satisfactory articles and travel therewith at a speednormally exceeding the speed which is required to transport at least1,000 articles per minute through an ejecting or segregating station.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedapparatus for segregation of selected rod-shaped articles from a seriesof rapidly moving equidistant articles wherein the selected articles arerandomly distributed among the remaining articles of the series or areseparated from each other by predetermined numbers of remainingarticles.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forsegregation of selected rod-shaped articles from a series of rapidlymoving equidistant articles wherein the segregation of selected articlescan be carried out by resorting to rugged, reliable and long-lastingcomponents which cooperate to insure reliable segregation or ejection ofdefective or other selected articles even though they cannot respond tosignals with the dispatch which is needed to segregate an article withinan interval which is available to transport an article through adistance which at most equals the distance between two neighboringarticles.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whichcan segregate defective or other selected cigarettes or filtercigarettes from a row or file of such articles while the row or fileadvances at the speed at which the articles leave a modernmass-producing cigarettes making or filter cigarette making machine.

The method of the present invention is utilized for individuallyremoving selected cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from apredetermined path for a series of equidistant discrete articles movingat an elevated speed (preferably at a speed of at least 1,000 articlesper minute). The removal of articles is effected by a separating forceto which a selected article is subjected in response to a pneumatic orelectric signal coming from a device which tests the articles for thepresence of defects or from a device which produces signals at regularintervals so as to bring about a segregation of each n-th articlewherein n is a whole number exceeding 1.

The method comprises the steps of starting the application of theseparating force in response to a signal and in a direction whichcrosses the path at a point coinciding with the locus of a selectedarticle, and moving the point of application of the separating forcealong the path at the speed of articles and through a predetermineddistance which substantially exceeds the distance between a pair ofneighboring articles of the series.

The method may comprise the additional steps of subjecting all articlesof the series to the action of a mechanical or pneumatic retaining forcewhich is stronger than the separating force and acts on the articles ina direction to retain the articles in the path, and terminating theaction of the retaining force upon a selected article when such articleoccupies the aforementioned locus. In accordance with the just describedembodiment of the method, the separating force can be a mechanicalforce, such as the force of gravity and/or the centrifugal force,especially if the aforementioned path is an arcuate path which isdefined, for example, by a drum-shaped conveyor having axially parallelflutes or analogous receiving means for the articles of the series.

The separating force can be furnished by a gaseous fluid, e.g., by oneor more streams of compressed air which are caused to move with thereceiving means for the selected articles while such receiving meanscover the aforementioned predetermined distance. Such distance can bebetween n-1 and n times the distance between a pair of neighboringarticles.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved separating apparatus itself, however, both as to itsconstruction and its mode of operation, together with additionalfeatures and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal ofthe following detailed description of certain specific embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic elevational view of a separatingapparatus which embodies one form of the invention and wherein theselected articles are separated by streams of a compressed gaseous fluidin response to electric signals from a testing device;

FIG. 2 is a similar fragmentary schematic elevational view of a secondseparating apparatus wherein the selected articles are separated bystreams of a gaseous fluid in response to pneumatic signals from atesting device;

FIG. 3 is a similar fragmentary elevational view of a third apparatuswherein the selected articles are separated under the action of gravityand/or centrifugal force in response to termination of retention of sucharticles by suction;

FIG. 4 is a similar schematic fragmentary elevational view of a fourthapparatus which constitutes a modification of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a portion of a fifth apparatus whereinthe ejecting means comprises a pair of stationary ejectors mounted inthe interior of the conveyor;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from theline VI--VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a portion of a sixth apparatus whichcomprises a discrete ejector for each article receiving means of theconveyor;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from theline VIII--VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9a illustrates a portion of a first signal transmitting system foruse in the apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 9b illustrates a portion of a second signal transmitting system foruse in the apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary axial sectional view of a conveyor forming partof a seventh separating apparatus wherein the articles are normallyretained by mechanical means, the sections being taken in the directionof arrows as seen from the line X--X of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 11 is a smaller-scale transverse vertical sectional view as seen inthe direction of arrows from the line XI--XI of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a drum-shaped conveyor 1 ofthe type known as HC X and produced by Hauni-Werke, Korber & Co. K.G.,of Hamburg-Bergedorf, Western Germany. Reference may be had to U.S. Pat.No. 3,408,858 to Kaeding et al. The conveyor 1 (hereinafter called drumfor short) is formed with axially parallel equidistant peripheralarticle receiving means or flutes 2 which are disposed at apredetermined distance from each other as considered in thecircumferential direction of the drum. The flutes 2 are designed toreceive portions of rod-like articles 3 such as plain cigars, cigarillosor cigarettes of unit length or multiple unit length, filter cigarillos,cigarettes or cigars of unit length or multiple unit length, or filterrod sections of unit length or multiple unit length. While movingsideways with the respective flutes 2, the rod-shaped articles 3 aretested for the presence or absence of defects by streams of a compressedtesting fluid (normally air) which is admitted into one axial end of thefilter of each article through a coupling device (not shown) which is insealing engagement with the respective end of the wrapper on theadjacent article. Thus, the separating apparatus of FIG. 1 is .Iadd.a.Iaddend.testing apparatus wherein defective articles are to besegregated from satisfactory articles.

Alternate flutes 2 respectively communicate with radially inwardlyextending channels or ports 5a, 5b which respectively communicate withaxially parallel channels or bores 10a, 10b machined into the body ofthe drum 1. The ports 5a are longer than the ports 5b.

A testing unit or detector 4 is mounted at a testing station A which isadjacent to the path of the flutes 2. The detector 4 is designed todetect deviations of the pressure of testing fluid from a referencepressure which is indicative of satisfactory rod-shaped articles. Forexample, if the detector 4 detects that the pressure of fluid issuingfrom the adjacent end of an article in a flute 2 which reaches thetesting station A is well below the reference pressure, this normallyindicates that the wrapper of the article at the testing station A has aleak which permits uncontrolled escape of testing fluid. The detector 4then generates an electric signal and its output 6 transmits suchelectric signal to the first stage 7a of a shift register 7. The lattercomprises seven stages 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, 7f, 7g, and the last stage 7gis connected with the input of an electronic switching circuit 28. Thestages 7a-7g of the shift register 7 are further connected with a pulsegenerator or timer 8 which transmits shifting pulses serving totransport electric signals which are transmitted to the stage 7a by theoutput 6 of the detector 4. A detector which can be used in theapparatus of FIG. 1 is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.3,412,856 to Esenwein.

The purpose of the testing and separating apparatus of FIG. 1 is tosegregate selected (defective) articles 3 from satisfactory articles atan ejecting or segregating station B in response to signals which aretransmitted to an ejector unit by way of the shift register 7. Inpresently known testing apparatus, the width of the ejecting station atmost equals or only slightly exceeds the distance between the centers oftwo neighboring flutes or analogous receiving means for tested articles.The maximum width of ejecting stations in conventional testing apparatusis much closer to the distance between the centers of two neighboringflutes than to twice the distance between the centers of two neighboringflutes. As a rule, the selected (defective) articles are ejected bypneumatic means, namely, by resorting to a complex electromagneticallyoperated valve which is installed in a conduit for compressed gaseousfluid and opens in response to reception of a signal at the exact momentwhen the defective article which has caused the generation of suchsignal reaches the ejecting station. Such testing apparatus aresufficiently reliable for the testing of rod-like articles which are nottransported at a very high speed, for example, for the testing of plainor filter cigarettes of multiple unit length. However, they are muchless reliable for the testing of relatively short articles, such asplain cigarettes of unit length or filter cigarettes of unit lengthwhich are often transported at extremely high speeds of up to and inexcess of 4,000 articles per minute. In can be readily calculated thatthe length of the interval during which an article is transportedthrough a relatively narrow ejecting station is in the range of a fewmilliseconds. Valves which are sufficiently sophisticated to open atextremely rapid intervals and for extremely short periods of time arevery expensive and the wear on their parts is so pronounced that theuseful life of such valves is very short. Therefore, such complicatedvalves are not suited for the testing of plain or filter cigaretteswhich are transported as a series of closely or immediately adjacentarticles and at a speed of several thousand articles per minute.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the width of theejecting station B in the testing apparatus of FIG. 1 can be increasedwell beyond the width of ejecting stations in conventional testingapparatus (for example, to nearly twice the distance between the centersof two neighboring flutes 2) by the provision of channels or ports 5a,5b of different length and by the provision of an ejector unit whichincludes two discrete ejector valves 9 and 11, one for defectivearticles (3a) travelling with flutes which communicate with the ports5a, and the other for defective articles (3b) travelling with fluteswhich communicate with the ports 5b. The valves 9 and 11 respectivelycontrol the admission of a compressed fluid (preferably air) intoconduits 18, 19 which respectively communicate with arcuate grooves 12,13 provided in a stationary control member here shown as a valve plate14 which is adjacent to one end face of the rotary drum 1. The grooves12, 13 are machined into that surface of the valve plate 14 which is insealing engagement with the adjacent end face of the drum 1, and thesegrooves are located at the ejecting station B. The valve members 16, 17of the valves 9, 11 are operated by electromagnets 21, 22 which areconnected with amplifiers 23, 24. The amplifiers 23, 24 are respectivelyconnected with bistable logical circuits 26, 27 of the type known asflip-flops. When the valve member 16 or 17 of the valve 9 or 11 is movedto an open position in response to energization of the respectiveelectromagnet 21, 22, it respectively admits compressed gas from asource 20 to the conduit 18 or 19 whence the gas flows into the groove12 or 13 to cause expulsion of the defective article 3a or 3b at theejecting station B.

The amplifiers 23, 24 respectively receive signals from the outputs c ofthe flip-flops 26, 27. The inputs b of these flip-flops receive signalsfrom a signal generator or timer 29 and the inputs a of the flip-flopsreceive signals from the electronic switching circuit 28. The signalsfrom the timer 29 to the inputs b of the flip-flops erase the signalswhich are being transmitted to the amplifiers 23 and 24. The frequencyat which the timer 29 transmits signals to the inputs b of theflip-flops 26, 27 is half the frequency of pulse transmission by thetimer 8 for the shift register 7. The frequency of pulse transmission bythe timer 8 is synchronized with the speed of the drum 1.

The switching circuit 28 has an element 28a which acts not unlike themoving contact of a two-way electric switch and can transmit signals tothe input a of the flip-flop 26 (in one of its positions) and to theinput a of the flip-flop 27 (in its other position). The circuit 28 canbe said to constitute a component part of a signal transmitting meansbetween the detector 4 and the ejector valve 9 or 11 to transmit to theelectromagnet 21 or 22 signals which are indicative of defectivearticles 3a or 3b. The position of the element 28a changes at thefrequency of pulse transmission by the generator 8. The entire signaltransmitting means between the output 6 of the detector 4 and theelectromagnets of the ejector valves 9, 11 includes the shift register7, the pulse generator 8, the switching circuit 28, the flip-flops 26,27, the timer 29 and the amplifiers 23, 24.

The operation:

When a defective article (e.g., one of the articles 3b which alternatewith identical articles numbered 3a) reaches the detector 4, the latterproduces an electric signal and its output 6 transmits such signal tothe first stage 7a of the shift register 7. The signal is transportedthrough successive stages 7b-7g by pulses transmitted by the generator8. The transport of the signal through the shift register 7 takes placein synchronism with the transport of defective article 3b toward theejecting station B. Thus, the defective article 3b reaches the station Bwhen the signal reaches the last stage 7g. The element 28a of theswitching circuit 28 is then located in the right-hand end position ofFIG. 1 (indicated by broken lines) so that the signal is transmitted tothe inpt a of the flip-flop 26 while the latter's input b does notreceive a signal from the timer 29. The output c of the flip-flop 26then transmits a signal which is amplified at 23 and energizes theelectromagnet 21 of the ejector valve 9 which moves its valve member 16to the open position so that the conduit 18 conveys a stream ofcompressed gaseous fluid from the source 20 into the groove 12 of thecontrol means or valve plate 14. The electromagnet 21 is energized andmoves the valve member 16 to open position with such a delay followingthe generation of signal by the detector 4 that the defective article 3breaches the ejecting station B when the stream of compressed fluidissuing from the source 20 and passing through the conduit 18, groove12, the corresponding channel or bore 10b and the corresponding channelor port 5b impinges against the defective article in its flute 2 andexpels the defective article into a chute, into a collecting receptacleor into another suitable intercepting device, not shown. It is to benoted that, though FIG. 1 does not show any retaining means whichproduces a retaining force serving to prevent ejection of articles 3a,3b during transport with the flutes 2 past the testing station A andtoward, past and beyond the ejecting station B, it is clear that thetesting apparatus is provided with suitable mechanical and/or pneumatic(suction operated) retaining means which holds the articles againstmovement under the action of gravity and/or centrifugal force. Since theflip-flops 26, 27 are bistable logical circuits, the signal at theoutput c of the flip-flop 26 remains after the transmission of signalfrom the switching circuit 28 is terminated. The signal at the output cof the flip-flop 26 is erased in response to transmission of a signal toits input b from the timer 29 which operates at half the frequency ofthe generator 8. Thus, the valve member 16 of the valve 9 remains inopen position after the element 28a of the switching circuit 28 moves toits left-hand end position and for an interval which is long enough toinsure the flow of a stream of compressed gaseous fluid into the groove12 of the valve plate 14 while the flute 2 for the defective article 3btravels through the ejecting station B. The valve member 16 thereuponreturns to its closed position to seal the groove 12 from the source 20.As shown in FIG. 1, the width b of the ejecting station B almost equalstwice the distance between the centers of two neighboring flutes 2.

If the defective article 3b is immediately followed by a defectivearticle 3a, the output 6 of the detector 4 again transmits an electricsignal to the first stage 7a of the shift register 7, and such signal istransported to the last stage 7g by pulses furnished by the generator 8.The stage 7g emits a signal when the element 28a of the switchingcircuit 28 is in the solid-line left-hand end position of FIG. 1 so thatthe signal reaches the input a of the flip-flop 27 which energizes theelectromagnet 22 of the ejector valve 11 by way of the amplifier 24 sothat the valve member 17 moves to its open position and admits a streamof compressed gaseous fluid from the source 20, through the conduit 19,groove 13 of the valve member 14, the corresponding channel or bore 10a,the corresponding channel or port 5a, and into the flute 2 whichcontains the defective article 3a. The groove 13 remains incommunication with the source 20 while the flute 2 for the defectivearticle 3a travels through the ejecting station B so that the defectivearticle 3a can be ejected during a portion of or during the entireinterval which elapses while the corresponding flute 2 covers thedistance b. Thus, the interval which is available for ejection of adefective article 3a or 3b almost equals the combined length of twointervals which are required to move an article through a distancecorresponding to twice the distance between the centers of twoneighboring flutes.

It will be seen that a stream of compressed gaseous fluid which startsto issue from the port 5a or 5b when the defective article 3a, 3breaches the ejecting station B produces a separating force which crossesthe path of the articles 3a, 3b at a point which coincides with theright-hand end of the station B and with the locus of the respectivedefective article 3a or 3b. The groove 5a or 5b of the control means orvalve plate 14 then insures that the point of application of the forcefurnished by the stream of compressed gaseous fluid moves along the pathfor the articles 3a, 3b at the exact speed of such articles and througha predetermined distance (b) which substantially exceeds the distancebetween the centers of a pair of neighboring flutes. In the apparatus ofFIG. 1, the separating force is furnished by a gaseous fluid.

An advantage of the apparatus of FIG. 1 is that it can employ readilyavailable, rugged and reliable components which can insure segregationor ejection of selected articles even though the article which is to besegregated is flanked by two articles which should not be removed fromthe drum 1 during travel through the ejecting station B. The parts whichrespond to signals from the output 6 of the detector 4 need not be assensitive as the aforediscussed components of certain presently knownejecting apparatus because they can effect ejection of selected articleswithin intervals which are substantially longer than the interval neededto move an article through a distance corresponding to that between thecenters of two adjoining flutes 2. Thus, the ejector valves 9, 11 can beof the type which, though not as sensitive as certain recently developedelectromagnetically operated valves, is capable of standing long periodsof use. This is achieved by constructing the apparatus in such a waythat the width b of the ejecting station B substantially exceeds thedistance between the centers of two neighboring flutes 2 in the drum 1.The apparatus of the present invention is especially suited forsegregation of selected articles from a series (file or row) of articleswhich are transported through the testing station A at the rate of atleast 15 and up to 70 articles per second, i.e., at about 1,000-4,500articles per minute. The distance between the neighboring flutes 2 is oflesser importance; such distance is selected in dependency on thedimensions of the drum 1 and certain other factors, such as the natureof devices which feed articles to the flutes at a first transfer stationlocated upstream of the testing station and which receive satisfactoryarticles from the drum 1 at a second transfer station located downstreamof the ejecting station. The two transfer stations (U1 and U2) are shownin FIG. 11.

The apparatus of FIG. 2 constitutes a first modification of theapparatus of FIG. 1. All such components of the second apparatus whichare clearly analogous to or identical with the corresponding componentsof the first apparatus are denoted by similar reference characters plus100. In contrast to the detector 4 of FIG. 1 which generates electricsignals, the output 106 of the detector 104 shown in FIG. 2 is designedto emit pneumatic signals which are transmitted to the first stage a ofa pneumatic shift register 107. The pneumatic elements of the systemwhich transmits signals from the detector 104 to the ejector valves 109,111 of the ejector unit in the apparatus of FIG. 2 are available on themarket and are produced by the Corning Glass Works, Corning, N.Y. Thepulse generator 108 comprises a disk which is rotated in synchronismwith the drum 101 and has apertures which transmit pneumatic pulses froma conduit 108a (which contains an adjustable flow restrictor 108b and isconnected with the source 120 of compressed gas) to a conduit 108c whichtransmits pulses to the stages a, b, c, d, e, f, g of the shift register107. The timer 129 also comprises a disk which is provided withapertures and rotates at half the speed of the disk of the pulsegenerator 108. A first conduit (not shown) which is connected with thesource 120 transmits pneumatic signals to a second conduit 129c which isconnected with the inputs b of two pneumatic flip-flops 126, 127. Theinputs a of the flip-flops 126, 127 are connected with the correspondingoutputs of the pneumatic switching device 128 which receives a signalfrom the last stage g of the shift register 107 when the detector 104 atthe station A detects a defective article 103a or 103b. The outputs c ofthe flip-flops 126, 127 are respectively connected with the actuatingelements 123, 124 of the ejector valves 109, 111 which comprise valvemembers 116, 117 movable to open positions to thereby connect the source120 with the conduit 118 or 119, i.e., with the groove 112 or 113 of thecontrol means or valve plate 114.

The operation of the apparatus of FIG. 2 is analogous to the operationof the apparatus of FIG. 1. Thus, the valve members 116, 117 canestablish a connection between the source 120 and the grooves 112, 113for intervals of time whose length corresponds to the length of theinterval during which a flute 102 containing a defective article 103a or103b moves through the ejecting station B having a width b which equalsor approximates twice the distance between the centers of twoneighboring flutes 102. The grooves 112, 113 enable the channels 105a,110a or 105b, 110b to move the point where the stream of compressedgaseous fluid crosses the path for the articles 103a, 103b along suchpath, through the distance b, and at the exact speed of the flutes 102so that a defective article 103a or 103b is subjected to the action ofthe separating force produced by the stream of compressed fluid as soonas it reaches the station B and until it leaves the respective flute102, not later than at the left-hand end of the station B.

The apparatus of FIG. 3 differs from the first two separating apparatusin that the ejection of defective articles 203a or 203b at the station Btakes place under the action of a mechanical separating force, such asthe force of gravity and/or centrifugal force. The articles 203a, 203bare normally held in their flutes 202 by a retaining force which isproduced by suction and is stronger than the mechanical separatingforce. The retaining force is terminated when a defective articlereaches the ejecting station B. All such parts of the apparatus of FIG.3 which are clearly analogous to or identical with the correspondingparts of the first apparatus are denoted by similar reference charactersplus 200. The centrifugal force will act on the defective articles 203aor 203b irrespective of the location of the ejecting station B. It ispreferred to place this station adjacent to the lower half of the drum201 so that the ejection of defective articles can be assisted bygravity. As a rule, the centrifugal force is strong enough to insureejection of defective articles at the station B because the drum 201 isassumed to be driven at a high speed, for example, at the speed which isrequired to transport 4,000 plain cigarettes of unit length or filtercigarettes of unit length per minute through the ejecting station B.

The source 20 of FIG. 1 is replaced with a suction generating device 220and the valve members 216, 217 are arranged to close in response toreception of signals from the amplifier 223 or 224. Thus, the ejectorvalves 209, 211 are normally open so that the suction generating device220 is normally connected with the grooves 212, 213 of the valve plate214. When the valve members 216, 217 respectively seal the suctiongenerating device 220 from the grooves 212, 213, they automaticallyconnect the conduits 218, 219 with the atmosphere (or with a source ofcompressed air) to insure a rapid rise of gas pressure in that flute 202which travels through the ejecting station B.

Otherwise, the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 3 is identical withthe operation of the first and second apparatus. The detector 204 at thetesting station A is assumed to be identical with the detector 4 of FIG.1, i.e., its output 206 transmits electrical signals which aretransported through the stages a to g of the shift register 207 and aretransmitted to the input a of the flip-flop circuit 226 or 227 dependingon the position of the element 228a of the switching circuit 228. Theelectromagnets 221, 222 are energizable or deenergizable to thereby movethe respective valve members 216, 217 to such positions that the suctiongenerating device 220 is sealed from the grooves 212, 213 of the controlmeans or valve plate 214 and that the conduit 218 or 219 is connectedwith the atmosphere or with a source of compressed gas to insure rapidexpulsion of a defective article 203a or 203b from that flute 202 whichis transported along the ejecting station B.

In this embodiment of the invention, the point of application of themechanical separating force (gravity and/or centrifugal force) alsotravels along the path for the articles 203a, 203b at the exact speed ofsuch articles and through a distance (b) which substantially exceeds thedistance between the centers of two neighboring flutes 202. The maindifference between the embodiment of FIG. 3 and the embodiments of FIGS.1 and 2 is that defective articles 203a or 203b are separated from theremaining articles by a force which can act on all of the articles andas long as the articles travel along the path defined by the drum 201.However, the mechanical separating force is normally opposed andovercome by the retaining force which is produced by suction and whichis automatically terminated when a defective article 203a or 203breaches the station B so that the mechanical separating force can takeover and acts on the defective article during travel along that portionof the path which extends through the ejecting station B.

The apparatus of FIG. 4 differs from the apparatus of FIG. 1 in that thelength b of the grooves 312, 313 in the stationary control means orvalve plate 314 is less than the width b' of the ejecting station B. Theelectromagnets 321, 322 of the ejector valves 309, 311 are designed tomaintain the respective valve members 316, 317 in open positions forintervals whose length corresponds to the length of the interval whichis required to transport a flute 302 of the drum 301 through the entireejecting station B. The width b' of the station B nearly equals twicethe distance between the centers of two neighboring flutes 302 whereasthe length b of the groove 312 or 313 equals or approaches suchdistance. Thus the width b' is slightly less than or equals 2b.

All such parts of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 which are clearlyanalogous to or identical with the corresponding parts of the apparatusof FIG. 1 are denoted by similar reference characters plus 300.

An advantage of the apparatus of FIG. 4 is that the valve member 316 or317 moves to open position before the channel 310b or 310a whichcommunicates with the flute 302 carrying a defective article 303b or303a begins to communicate with groove 312 or 313. This enables the gasstream which issues from the source 320 to build up in the groove 312 or313 a substantial pressure and to effect an abrupt ejection of adefective article 303a or 303b while the respective flute .[.202.]..Iadd.302 .Iaddend.communicates with the groove 313 or 312.

It will be seen that the apparatus of FIG. 4 is clearly analogous to theapparatus of FIGS. 1-3. Even though the ejection of defective orselected articles 303a or 303b takes place during an interval which isshorter than the interval required for transport of articles through adistance corresponding to several times the distance b between thecenters of two neighboring flutes, at time which is available forejection or segregation of defective or selected articles is that timeduring which a flute covers the distance b', namely, a distance whichconsiderably exceeds the distance b between the centers of twoneighboring flutes 302.

The apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6 does not have a discrete control means orvalve plate. Such valve plate is replaced by an integral part of thedrum 401, i.e., the control means moves with the conveyor for thearticles. Alternate flutes 402 of the drum 401 communicate with recessesor grooves 412, 413 which are angularly offset with reference to eachother (as considered in the circumferential direction of the drum) by adistance corresponding to that between the centers of two neighboringflutes. The recesses 412 form a first circle, the recesses 413 form asecond circle (see FIG. 6), and the two circles are partly separatedfrom each other by a radially inwardly extending partition or baffle 431of the drum 401. Each of the recesses 412, 413 tapers radially outwardlytoward the respective flute 402 and communicates with such flute by arelatively short radial port 405a, 405b. The partition 431 preventsexcessive flow of compressed air from the space which communicates withthe recesses 412 into the space which communicates with the recesses 413or vice versa. Thus, the partition 431 forms part of a moving controlmeans which insures that the point of application of a separating forcetravels with the flute 402 for the selected article while such flutetravels along the ejecting station B. The supply conduits 418, 419 forcompressed air are stationary and are secured to a shaft 433 on whichthe drum 401 rotates. The shaft 433 has an axial bore 432 which connectsthe supply conduits 418, 419 with a source of compressed air. The valvemembers 416, 417 of the ejector valves 409, 411 in the conduits 418, 419are normally closed. They open in response to pneumatic or electricsignals from the detector (not shown) to admit compressed air into theadjacent recess 412 or 413, depending upon whether the defective articlewhich has caused the generation of a signal is one of the articles 403bor 403a. These articles are assumed to be filter cigarettes of unitlength each having a wrapped tobacco filler rod section S and a filterplug F (see FIG. 6). The remaining parts of the testing apparatus areassumed to be constructed and assembled in a manner as shown in FIG. 1.Thus, the apparatus employs a detector 4, a shift register 7, and asource 20 of compressed gas. The numeral 421 denotes the electromagnetof the ejector valve 409.

When the valve member 416 of the ejector valve 409 is caused by theelectromagnet 421 to assume its open position in response to a signalfrom the detector at the testing station, the supply conduit 418 directsa stream of compressed gas into the adjacent recess 412 communicatingwith that flute 402 which contains the defective article 403b (i.e.,that article which has caused the generation of the signal for openingof the valve 409). Since the inner end of the recess 412 at the ejectingstation B is much wider than its outer end (the maximum width b of therecesses 412, 413 approximates twice the distance between the centers ofneighboring flutes 402 and equals the width of the station B), theadmission of compressed gas into the recess 412 at the station B ismaintained for an interval of time which is long enough to effectejection of the defective article 403b. As shown in FIG. 6, the channelor port 405b between the recess 412 and the flute 402 at the ejectingstation B directs the stream of compressed gas against the filter plug Fof the defective article 403b, and the separating force furnished bysuch stream is strong enough to effect expulsion or separation of thedefective article while the corresponding recess 412 travels through thestation B. The baffle 431 prevents the flow of compressed gas into theadjoining recesses 413 and the special configuration of the recesses412, 413 insures that the stream of gas which is directed into therecess 412 at the station B cannot dislodge the neighboring(satisfactory) articles 403b (in the flutes 402A, 402B of FIG. 5).

If the article 403a which follows the freshly ejected article 403b isalso defective, the valve member 417 of the ejector valve 411 opens whensuch article 403a reaches the ejecting station B so that the supplyconduit 419 directs a stream of compressed gas into the respectiverecess 413. The respective channel or port 405a then directs the streamof compressed gas against the tobacco filler rod section S of thedefective article 403a and insures the expulsion of such article whilethe corresponding recess 413 travels through the ejecting station B.Such stream of gas cannot dislodge the satisfactory articles 403a in theneighboring flutes 402D, 402E.

Each of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-6 comprises an ejector unit orsegregating unit with two discrete ejectors, such as the valves 9, 11 ofFIG. 1, whereby one ejector serves to segregate defective articles inthe evenly numbered flutes of the drum and the other ejector serves tosegregate defective articles in the oddly numbered flutes of the drum.It is clear, however, that the improved apparatus can be modified tohave three, four or more ejectors for segregation of defective orselected articles in each third, fourth, etc. flute and that the thusmodified apparatus then includes an ejecting or segregating stationwhose width approaches three, four, etc. times the distance between thecenters of two neighboring flutes. Such apparatus must employ morecomplicated drums and more complicated systems for transmission ofsignals from the detector to the respective ejector valves. Referringspecifically to FIG. 1, the apparatus therein shown could be providedwith three ejector valves, three flip-flops and a more complicatedswitching circuit which would insure energization of the properelectromagnet when a defective article reaches the ejecting orsegregating station whose width is then approximately three times thedistance between two neighboring flutes. Such apparatus must employ adifferent control means, e.g., a valve plate with three grooves locatedat different distances from the axis of the drum, and the drum must beprovided with three sets of radial channels or ports and with three setsof axially extending bores or channels.

It is further clear that the apparatus of the present invention need notbe used exclusively for the segregation or ejection of defectivearticles. Thus, it is often desirable to segregate from a row ofcigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, cheroots or filter rod sections eachsecond, third, etc. article not because the articles to be segregatedare defective but because the single row is to be converted into two,three or more rows. Furthermore, the apparatus can be used forsegregation of each n-th article for the purpose of testing in aseparate apparatus, i.e., the apparatus of the present invention thenmerely constitutes a means for segregating from a series of closelyadjacent rapidly moving equidistant articles each n-th article for thepurpose of inspection or testing at a station which is not locatedupstream of the ejecting or segregating station. Also, the apparatus canbe used to transfer each n-th article between a conveyor (e.g., the drum1 of FIG. 1) wherein the articles travel sideways and a conveyor whereonthe articles travel lengthwise. Each n-th article can be removed fromthe drum 1 for immediate transfer onto a testing conveyor where the thusremoved articles are tested in the same way as .Iadd.at .Iaddend.thestation A of FIG. 1 or by resorting to other types of testing devices.

The apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8 differs from the apparatus of FIGS. 1-6in that the drum 501 carries a large number of ejector valves 509, onefor each flute 502, and that the ejector valves 509 orbit about the axisof the drum 501 at the speed of the articles 503 so that each valve 509remains in permanent registry with the respective flute 502. The valvemember 516 of each ejector valve 509 can be moved to open position inresponse to energization of the corresponding electromagnet 521. Theejector valves 509 are installed in supply conduits 518 which candischarge streams of compressed gas into the respective flutes 502 ofthe drum 501. Each supply conduit 518 communicates with an axiallyparallel channel 518a of the drum 501. Each channel 518a has an open endat the right-hand end face of the drum 501, as viewed in FIG. 8, andcommunicates with an arcuate groove 534 of a stationary valve plate 536which is in sealing engagement with the adjacent end face of the drum501 and is connected with a source 520 of compressed gas. The groove 534is always filled with compressed gas and such gas can flow through achannel 518a and the corresponding supply conduit 518 when therespective electromagnet 521 receives a signal to move the correspondingvalve member 516 to the open position. It will be noted that the supplyconduits 518 replace the ports or channels of the drums shown in FIGS. 1to 6.

The electromagnets 521 are energizable and deenergizable by discretesignal transmitting circuits 535 which rotate with the drum 501 and areconnected with a source of electrical energy by means of conductors 544,slip rings 541 on the drum 501, and stationary brushes 543. The drum 501rotates about the axis of a stationary shaft 542 which supports thevalve plate 536. A first signal transmitting device 537 is adjacent tothe path of the signal transmitting circuits 535 and can cause aselected signal transmitting circuit to energize the respectiveelectromagnet 521 in response to a signal from the detector, not shown.A second signal transmitting device 538 causes the selected circuit 535to deenergize the respective electromagnet 521 with a predetermineddelay following the energization of the corresponding ejector valve.

As shown in FIG. 7, the length of the groove 534 in the valve plate 536corresponds to three times the distance between the centers of twoneighboring flutes 502 and determines the width of the ejecting orsegregating station B. The signal transmitting devices 537, 538 arerespectively located upstream and downstream of the station B, asconsidered in the direction of rotation of the drum 501 (clockwise, asthe parts appear in FIG. 7). Energy storing devices 546 (e.g., batteriesor capacitors) are connected in parallel with the signal transmittingcircuits 535.

The construction of the signal transmitting devices 537 and 538 is shownin FIG. 9a. The device 537 comprises a light source 553 (e.g., aflashtube or a light-emitting diode) which produces a beam of light inresponse to a signal from the detector (such as the detector 4 ofFIG. 1) and thereby causes a light sensitive element or receiver 556(e.g., a photothyristor) of the adjacent control circuit 535 to generatea signal which causes energization of the corresponding electromagnet521. The signal transmitting device 538 comprises a light source 554which is preferably identical with the light source 553 and can producea light beam with a predetermined delay following the emission of a beamof light by the source 553 to thereby cause a second light sensitiveelement or receiver 557 of the adjacent circuit 535 to effectdeenergization of the respective electromagnet 521. The light sources553, 554 can be said to constitute two contactless initiators orswitches which can respectively cause completion and opening of thecircuit of a selected electromagnet 521 in response to signals from thedetector. The transmission of signals from the detector to the lightsource 553 is delayed in such a way that the flute 502 containing thatdefective article which has caused the generation of a signal duringtravel through the testing station moves into registry with the lightsource 553 when the latter energizes the respective electromagnet 521.The corresponding valve member 516 then moves to its open position andthe supply conduit 518 begins to receive a stream of compressed gas assoon as the corresponding channel 518a reaches the groove 534 of thevalve plate 536.

As mentioned before, the light source 554 can be caused to produce abeam of light with a predetermined delay following the emission of lightby the light source 553. However, it is equally within the purview ofthe invention to provide for the light source 554 a circuit which causesthe light source 554 to direct a beam of light against each successivereceiver 557 irrespective of whether or not the circuit of the lightsource 553 was completed by a signal from the detector.

The operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9a is as follows:

If a defective article 503 reaches the testing station (not shown), thedetector at such station transmits a signal which causes completion ofthe circuit of the light source 553 (signal transmitting device 537)with a delay which is required to transport the defective article 503 tothe ejecting station B. The light source 553 transmits a signal to theadjacent receiver 556 which causes energization of the electromagnet 521for that valve member 516 which controls the admission of compressed gasinto the flute 502 for the defective article 503. The valve member 516moves to its open position and allows a stream of compressed gas to flowfrom the source 520, through the groove 534 of the valve plate 536 andthrough the respective supply conduit 518 as soon as the respectivechannel 518a moves into registry with the front end of the groove 534.The ejection of the defective article 503 from its flute 502 can takeplace at any moment during the period of travel of the respectivechannel 518a past the stationary groove 534. The means for delaying thetransmission of signals from the detector to the light source 553 maycomprise a shift register or any other suitable time delay means. In theembodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the length of the groove 534 is such thatthe ejection of a defective article 503 can take place during aninterval which is required to transport a flute 502 through a distancecorresponding to, approximating or even exceeding three times thedistance between the centers of two neighboring flutes. When therespective receiver 557 reaches the light source 554 (signaltransmitting device 538), the source 554 transmits a photosignal whichcauses the receiver 557 to deenergize the electromagnet 521 shortlyafter the respective channel 518a moves beyond the groove 534 of thevalve plate 536. The deenergization of the electromagnet 521 takes placein response to discharge of a capacitor 558 which discharges in responseto illumination of the receiver 557 by light issuing from the source554.

It will be seen that the apparatus of FIGS. 7, 8, 9a can effectsegregation of selected articles 503 during travel of such articlesthrough a distance which is more than twice the distance between twoneighboring flutes 502 and in such a way that the ejection of a selectedarticle 503 in no way influences the retention of the adjoining articlesin their flutes.

FIG. 9b illustrates two inductive signal transmitting devices 537', 538'which can be used in the apparatus of FIGS. 7, 8 as substitutes for thedevices 537, 538 of FIG. 9a. The devices 537', 538' respectivelycomprise stationary coils 561, 562 which respectively serve to transmitsignals for energization and deenergization of selected electromagnets521.

Each signal transmitting circuit 535' on the drum comprises two coils563, 564 which are respectively connected by way of amplifiers 566, 567with the inputs a and b of a signal storing device or circuit 560 ofknown construction. The output c of the signal storing device 560 isconnected with the respective electromagnet 521 by way of a furtheramplifier 569. The output c transmits a signal to the amplifier 569 toenergize the electromagnet 521 and to move the corresponding valvemember 516 to its open position in response to transmission of a signalto the input a of the signal storing device 560. The signal at theoutput c disappears in response to transmission of a signal to theerasing input b of the signal storing device 560.

When the detector at the testing station of the apparatus shown in FIGS.7 and 8 detects the presence of a defective article 503, the signal fromthe output of such detector is transmitted to the circuit of the coil561 with a requisite delay whereby the current flowing through the coil561 induces a voltage signal in the approaching winding 563 of thatsignal transmitting circuit 535' which is associated with the ejectorvalve 509 for the flute 502 containing the defective articles 503(namely, that article which has caused the generation of a signal at thetesting station). The signal from the winding 563 is amplified at 566and is transmitted to the input a of the signal storing device 560. Theoutput c of the signal storing device 560 transmits a signal to theamplifier 569 which energizes the electromagnet 521 to move the valvemember 516 to the open position whereby the respective supply conduit518 begins to receive a stream of compressed gas as soon as thecorresponding channel 518a reaches the front end of the groove 534 inthe stationary valve plate 536. The defective article 503 is segregatedwhile the respective flute 502 travels through the ejecting orsegregating station B, i.e., while the flute covers a distance which isseveral times the distance between the centers of two neighboringflutes.

The winding 564 of the signal transmitting circuit 535' then reaches thewinding 562 of the signal transmitting device 538' which induces in thewinding 564 a voltage signal. Such signal is amplified at 567 and istransmitted to the input b of the signal storing device 560 whichterminates the transmission of signal to the amplifier 569. Thus, theelectromagnet 521 is deenergized and the valve member 516 reassumes itsclosed position.

The apparatus of FIGS. 10 and 11 differs from the apparatus of FIGS. 1to 8 in that the rod-shaped articles Z are normally held by a mechanicalretaining force and that the application of such mechanical retainingforce is terminated in response to signals from a detector to therebypermit segregation of the article (which has caused the generation of asignal) by pneumatic means, by the action of gravity and/or by theaction of centrifugal force.

The apparatus of FIGS. 10 and 11 comprises a conveyor or drum 602 whichis rotatable on a stationary shaft 604 and carries on its periphery aset of equidistant receiving means for the articles Z and a set oftesting units for such articles. It is assumed that the articles Z arefilter cigarettes of unit length each of which has a wrapped tobaccofiller rod section S and a filter tip F. Each receiving means comprisestwo aligned fluted receiving members 606, 608 which can receive anarticle Z so that the latter's axis is parallel to the axis of the drum602. The filter tips F of the articles Z are adjacent to a ring-shapedflange or abutment 610 of the drum 602. The articles Z are temporarilyheld in the flutes of the receiving members 606, 608 by two arcuateshrouds or retaining members 612, 614 which are indicated in FIG. 10 byphantom lines. The centers of curvature of the shrouds 612, 614 arelocated on the axis of the shaft 604 (see FIG. 11). The purpose of theshrouds 612, 614 is to hold the articles against ejection from therespective receiving members 606, 608 under the action of gravity and/orcentrifugal force while the articles travel along predetermined portionsof their path.

Each receiving member 606 of the drum 602 is provided with a radiallyextending suction channel or port 616 and each receiving member 608 isprovided with a radially extending suction channel or port 618. Theports 616, 618 for each pair of aligned receiving members 606, 608communicate with discrete axially parallel channels or bores 620 of thedrum 602. The receiving members 606 are adjacent to a housing 622 whichis provided on the drum 602 and accommodates a plurality of testingunits, one for each pair of receiving members 606, 608. The housing 622has a set of cylindrical bores 624, one for each receiving member 606and adjacent to the right-hand end of the housing, as viewed in FIG. 10.Each bore 624 communicates with a larger diameter bore 626 which in turncommunicates with a channel 628 for admission of a testing fluid. Eachbore 624 further communicates with a discrete channel 630 which candischarge testing fluid into the atmosphere.

The front end wall 632 of the housing 622 has a set of openings 634 forthe heads 636 of working pistons 638 which are reciprocable in therespective bores 624. The head 636 of each piston 638 has a bore 640 andextends forwardly from a ring-shaped shoulder 642 of the respectivepiston. Each piston 638 further comprises a shank 639 which extendsrearwardly from the respective shoulder 642, as viewed in FIG. 10. Eachshank 639 is formed with two channels 644, 646 the first of whichconstitutes an extension of the respective channel 630. The left-hand orrear channel 646 of the shank 639 is located in the region of therespective larger-diameter bore 626. The rear end of each piston 638 issealed by a closure or plug 647 which is in mesh with the internallythreaded left-hand end portion of the respective shank 639. The outersurface 648 of each plug 647 is provided with a shallow depression orrecess 650 and defines with an adjacent disk-shaped wall 680 of thehousing 622 a compartment 652. The shoulder 642 of each working piston638 abuts against one end convolution of a helical spring 654 whichreacts against the inner side of the front end wall 632 of the housing622.

Each working piston 638 accommodates a testing piston 656 which has atubular plunger 658 provided with an axially extending bore 660. Thefront end of each bore 660 communicates with the recess 662 of amouthpiece 664 in the head 636 of the respective working piston 638.Each testing piston 656 forms part of a retaining device for theadjacent article Z. The other or rear end of each bore 660 communicateswith a port 666 in the wall of the respective piston 656 and the port666 communicates with a compartment 668. The channels 646 connect thecompartments 668 with the respective bores 626. It can be said that eachtesting unit in the housing 622 comprises a first testing chamber whichconstitutes the compartment 668 and a second testing chamber includingthe bore 626 and the compartment 652. The bores 626 are in temporarycommunication with the respective compartments 652 during eachrevolution of the drum 602. The front end face of each testing piston656 is biased by a discrete helical spring 670 which reacts against theinner end of the head 636 of the respective working piston 638. Thepurpose of the springs 670 is to bias the pistons 656 against therespective plugs 647 so that the front end faces of the plungers 658 areflush with the bottom surfaces in the respective recesses 662.

A venting or aerating orifice 672 extends radially outwardly from thebore 660 of each testing piston 656 so that it can communicate with anannular channel 674 of the respective piston 683.

The rear portion of each working piston 638 is guided in a portion 676of the housing 622. The housing portion 676 is located in front ofconnecting channels 678 which establish communication between the bores626 and the respective compartments 652 when the corresponding workingpistons 638 move forwardly whereby the thus connected bore 626 andcompartment 652 constitute the second testing chamber of the respectivetesting unit. The outer side of the rear wall 680 of the housing 622 onthe drum 602 abuts against a stationary control means or valve plate 682which is biased against the drum by a strong helical spring 684. Theright-hand surface of the valve plate 682 (as viewed in FIG. 10) isprovided with several arcuate grooves which are best shown in FIG. 11.The centers of curvature of such grooves in the valve plate 682 arelocated on the axis of the shaft 604. The wall 680 has an annulus ofaxially parallel bores 686 each of which communicates with a channel 620and travels along arcuate grooves 692, 694, 696 (FIG. 11) of the valveplate 682 when the drum 602 rotates. A second annulus of bores 688 inthe wall 680 can communicate with an arcuate groove 698 of the valveplate 682; the bores 688 communicate with the respective compartments652. The channels 628 can communicate with an arcuate groove 704 of thevalve plate 682 by way of exchangeable flow restrictors 690 in the wall680, one for each testing unit.

The groove 698 of the valve plate 682 is located radially outwardly ofthe grooves 692, 694, 696 but radially inwardly of the groove 704. Thegrooves 692, 696 are connected with a suction generating device and themedian groove .[.692.]. .Iadd.694 .Iaddend.is connected with a source ofcompressed air. The length of the median groove 694 corresponds to atleast twice the distance between a pair of neighboring receiving members606 or 608 on the periphery of the drum 602. The groove 698 of the valveplate 682 is located at the same distance from the axis of the shaft 604as two bores 700, 702 of the valve .[.member.]. .Iadd.plate.Iaddend..The bore 700 can connect the compartments 652 with the atmosphere. Thebore 702 is connected with a source of compressed air which can beadmitted into the axial bores 660 to expel therefrom dust, particles oftobacco or other foreign matter. The groove 704 can communicate with thepassages of the flow restrictors 690 and is connected with a source oftesting fluid.

The operation of the apparatus of FIGS. 10 and 11 is as follows:

Successive pairs of axially aligned receiving members 606, 608 receivearticles Z at a transfer station U1 shown in FIG. 11. Such articles areimmediately moved along the inner sides of the retaining shrouds 612,614 so that they cannot leave the flutes of their receiving membersunder the action of centrifugal force and/or gravity. The means forfeeding articles Z at the transfer station U1 may comprise aconventional transfer drum of the type well known from the art of filtercigarette making machines or filter plug making machines.

The bore 688 for the corresponding testing unit in the housing 622 onthe drum 602 thereupon moves into registry with the arcuate groove 698of the valve plate 682. The groove 698 is connected with a source ofcompressed gaseous fluid (e.g., air) which penetrates through therespective bore 688 and enters the compartment 652 to move thecorresponding working piston 638 in a direction to the right, as viewedin FIG. 10. The piston 638 stresses the corresponding spring 654 wherebyan internal shoulder of the respective mouthpiece 664 shifts the freshlytransferred article Z axially so that the filter plug F of such articleabuts against the flange 610 of the drum 602. The free end of thewrapped tobacco filler rod section S of the article Z enters therespective mouthpiece 664 and is sealed from the atmosphere.

The drum 602 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed inFIG. 11, and moves the flow restrictor 690 of the respective testingunit into registry with the long arcuate groove 704 of the valve plate682. The groove 704 communicates with a source of compressed testingfluid (e.g., air) which passes through the flow restrictor 690, throughthe corresponding channel 628 and bore 626, through the channel 646 andcompartment 668 and port 666 of the respective pistons 638 and 656, andinto the axial bore 660 to enter the filler of the respective wrappedtobacco rod section S. The pressure of gas in the compartment 668 causesthe testing piston 656 to move forwardly (in a direction to the right,as viewed in FIG. 10), and to cause its tubular plunger 658 to penetrateinto the adjacent end of the filler if the filler is too soft, i.e., ifthe exposed end of the wrapped tobacco filler rod section .[.X.]..Iadd.S .Iaddend.contains less than a desirable quantity of tobaccoshreds. When the plunger 658 is free to penetrate into the section S tosuch an extent that the orifice 672 and the channel 674 of therespective testing piston 656 move into registry with the channel 644 ofthe associated working piston 638, the article Z is defective and shouldbe segregated from other articles on the drum 602. Such segregationtakes place in the following way: When the channel 674 of the testingpiston 656 moves into registry with the channel 644 of the workingpiston 638 (and hence with the corresponding channel 630 of the housing622), the testing fluid is free to escape from the compartment 668 intothe atmosphere. The bias of the spring 654 for the working piston 638 isstronger than the bias of the spring 670 for the corresponding testingpiston 656. The spring 670 yields and permits the piston 638 to reassumeits original (left-hand end) position so that the recess 662 of themouthpiece 664 moves away from the left-hand end of the wrapped tobaccofiller rod section S. The testing fluid is then free to escape into theatmosphere by way of the bore 660 in the plunger 658 of the testingpiston 656. The defective article Z is segregated by gravity and/orcentrifugal force because it is then located beyond the arcuate groove698 of the valve plate 682, i.e., the ports 616, 618 of the respectivereceiving members 606, 608 are not connected with the suction generatingdevice.

If the density of the free end of the filler of the section S issatisfactory, the plunger 658 cannot penetrate into the filler so thatthe channel 674 remains sealed from the channel 644 of the workingpiston 638. The satisfactory article Z is then held against ejectionbecause the end of its section S extends into the respective recess 662and the filter plug F is biased against the flange 610. The satisfactoryarticle is also held by suction because the ports 616, 618 of thecorresponding receiving members 606, 608 are connected with the suctiongenerating device by way of the corresponding channel 620, thecorresponding bore 686 in the wall 680, and the groove 692 of the valveplate 682. The corresponding flow restrictor 690 reaches the groove 704of the valve plate 682 and admits testing fluid into the bore 626 of therespective testing unit in the housing 622. The quantity of such testingfluid corresponds to the quantity of fluid which can escape into theatmosphere through the pores of an article Z provided that the articleis satisfactory, i.e., that the wrapper of its section S or filter plugF is without leaks. The testing fluid flows from the bore 626 into thechannel 646 of the respective working piston 638 and compartment 668 toenter the bore 660 of the respective plunger 658 and to penetrate intothe filler of the section S which extends into the adjacent recess 662.If the wrapper of the article Z is defective, e.g., if the wrapper has apronounced leak, the testing fluid and the control fluid escape throughthe leak at the rate which exceeds the rate of admission of freshtesting fluid. This results in a drop of pressure in the compartment 652so that the spring 654 is free to expand and returns the pistons 638 and656 to their starting positions. The recess 662 of the mouthpiece 664moves away from the adjacent end of the article Z so that the latter isnot held in the receiving members by a mechanical retaining force. Thecorresponding channel 620 then moves into registry with the arcuategroove 694 of the valve plate 682. The groove 694 admits into thechannel 620 compressed gas by way of the respective bore 686 in the wall680 and the compressed gas stream expels the article whose wrapper has aleak from the flutes of the corresponding receiving members 606, 608.Such compressed gas stream is divided into two discrete streams whichreach the flutes of the members 606, 608 by way of the respective ports616, 618.

If the article Z has a filler of satisfactory density and a wrapperwhich is free of leaks, the rate at which the gaseous fluid escapesthrough the pores of the satisfactory wrapper equals the rate ofadmission of testing fluid by way of the channel 628 of the respectivetesting unit in the housing 622. Therefore, the piston 638 remains inits right-hand end position and the free end of the section S of thesatisfactory article Z is received in the adjacent recess 662 while thefilter plug F bears against the flange 610. The mechanical retainingforce acting on the satisfactory article Z is then such that the streamsof compressed gas which are admitted into the corresponding ports 616,618 while the corresponding channel 620 moves past the groove 694 of thevalve plate 682 are too weak to expel the article from its receivingmembers 606, 608. The channel 620 then reaches the groove 696 which isconnected with the suction generating device so that the satisfactoryarticle Z is held by suction.

The working piston 638 is retracted to its starting position to releasethe satisfactory article Z when the corresponding bore 688 of the wall680 reaches the bore 700 which communicates with the atmosphere. Thepressure in the compartment 652 decreases and the springs 654 and 670expand. The satisfactory article Z is then ready to be transferred ontoa further conveyor (not shown) at a second transfer station U2 shown inFIG. 11.

The corresponding bore 688 of the wall 680 then moves into registry withthe bore 702 of the valve plate 682. The bore 702 admits a stream ofcompressed air which enters the respective bore 660 and expels fragmentsof tobacco or dust from the testing piston 656. This takes place beforethe respective receiving members 606, 608 reach the first transferstation U1. The stream which is admitted by way of the bore 702 alsocleans the recess 662 of the corresponding mouthpiece 664.

It will be seen that the .[.mouthpiece.]. .Iadd.mouthpieces .Iaddend.664remain in extended or retaining positions when such mouthpieces engagesatisfactory articles Z, and that the mouthpieces are moved fromretaining positions to retracted positions when they travel withdefective articles. This insures that the action of the mechanicalretaining force is terminated when a defective article reaches theejecting station so that the defective article can be segregated bygravity and/or centrifugal force (assisted, if necessary, by the forcewhich is furnished by a stream of compressed gas) as soon as thedefective article reaches the ejecting station. The control means orvalve plate 682 insures that the point of application of the separatingforce travels with the receiving means 606, 608 for a defective articlewhile such receiving means travels along the ejecting station. Thisinsures reliable segregation of the defective article while therespective receiving means 606, 608 covers a distance which is amultiple of the distance between a pair of neighboring receiving means.The width of the ejecting station corresponds to the length of thegroove 694 of the valve plate 682.

An important advantage of the improved method and apparatus is that thewidth of the ejecting or segregating station substantially exceeds (andis preferably a multiple of) the distance between a pair of neighboringarticles. This renders it possible to insure that the selected (e.g.,defective) articles are reliably segregated from the remaining articleseven though the components which respond to signals from a testing orother signal generating device are unable to react as rapidly as isneeded to insure the segregation of selected articles within an intervalwhich is needed to transport an article through a distance which equalsthat between two neighboring articles.

The apparatus of FIGS. 1-6 exhibit the advantage that the pneumaticejector units employ parts which can stand long periods of use becausethey need not be designed to insure instantaneous reaction in responseto reception of signals. The apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8 is slightly morecomplicated; however, the length of intervals which are available forsegregation of selected articles can be many times the length of thatinterval which is needed to transport an article through a distanceequaling that between two neighboring articles. The apparatus of FIGS.10-11 need not be provided with means for rapid transmission of signalsbecause the testing elements themselves detect the articles which mustbe segregated by terminating the mechanical retaining action upon sucharticles. Here, too, the length of intervals which are available forseparation or ejection of defective or selected articles can be manytimes the length of that interval which is required to transport anarticle through a distance corresponding to the distance between twoneighboring articles.

The signals for segregation of selected (defective or satisfactory)articles can be produced at regular or irregular intervals by themachine which produces or processes the articles, for example, by afilter cigarette making machine. The separated articles can be subjectedto a testing operation.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of my contribution to the art and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:
 1. In a method of individuallyremoving selected cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from apredetermined path for a series of equidistant discrete articles movingat an elevated speed and forming at least two groups, the articles ofone of said groups alternating with the articles of another of saidgroups and the removal of selected articles being effected by aseparating force to the action of which a selected article is subjectedin response to a signal, the steps of transmitting signals for removalof selected articles of said one group along a first route; transmittingsignals for removal of selected articles of said other group along asecond route; starting the action of said separating force in responseto the thus transmitted signals and in a direction which crosses saidpath at a point coinciding with the locus of the respective selectedarticle; and moving said point of application of said separating forcealong said path at said elevated speed and through a predetermineddistance substantially exceeding the distance between a pair ofneighboring articles of said series.
 2. In a method as defined in claim1, the additional steps of subjecting the articles of said series to theaction of a retaining force which is stronger than said separating forceand acts on the articles in a direction to retain the articles in saidpath, and terminating the action of said retaining force upon a selectedarticle when such article occupies said locus.
 3. In a method as definedin claim 1, wherein said separating force is a mechanical force.
 4. In amethod as defined in claim 3, wherein said mechanical force is the forceof gravity.
 5. In a method as defined in claim 3, wherein said path isan arcuate path and said mechanical force is the centrifugal force. 6.In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein said separating force isfurnished at least in part by a gaseous fluid.
 7. In a method as definedin claim 1, wherein said selected articles include each n-th article ofsaid series and wherein n is a whole number exceeding
 1. 8. In a methodas defined in claim 7, wherein said separating force is furnished atleast in part by a gaseous fluid.
 9. In a method as defined in claim 7,wherein said predetermined distance is between n-1 and n times thedistance between a pair of neighboring articles of said series, andwherein n is a whole number exceeding
 1. 10. In a method as defined inclaim 1, wherein said separating force is furnished at least in part bya compressed gaseous fluid.
 11. In a method as defined in claim 10,wherein said gaseous fluid forms at least one stream which is directedagainst the respective selected article when such article occupies saidlocus, and said step of moving said point of application comprisesmoving the stream at said speed so that the stream continues to crosssaid path through said predetermined distance.
 12. In a method asdefined in claim 1, wherein the application of said separating force istriggered by electric signals.
 13. In a method as defined in claim 1,wherein the application of said separating force is triggered bypneumatic signals.
 14. In a method as defined in claim 1, the additionalsteps of testing the condition of successive articles upstream of saidpoint and producing said signals in response to detection of defectivearticles.
 15. In a method as defined in claim 1, wherein said series ofarticles is moved at a speed of at least 1,000 articles per minute. 16.Apparatus for individually removing cigarettes or analogous rod-shapedarticles from a series of equidistant discrete articles which form atleast two groups and wherein the articles of one of said groupsalternate with the articles of another of said groups, comprisingconveyor means arranged to move said series of articles along apredetermined path at an elevated speed, said conveyor means havingequidistant receiving means for the articles of said series; ejectormeans actuatable to subject selected articles of said series to theaction of a separating force acting transversely of said path to therebyremove said selected articles from the respective receiving means, saidforce being effective along a predetermined portion of said path whoselength substantially exceeds the distance between a pair of neighboringreceiving means; control means for moving the point of application ofsaid separating force at said elevated speed along said predeterminedportion of said path; and means for actuating said ejector means when aselected article of said series reaches said predetermined portion ofsaid path, including means for generating signals representing selectedarticles of said one group and said other group, means for transmittingto said ejector means along a first route signals representing saidselected articles of said one group, and means for transmitting to saidejector means along a second route signals representing said selectedarticles of said other group.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16,wherein said ejector means comprises retaining means movable to and froman operative position in which said retaining means retains the articlesof said series in the respective receiving means with a second forcewhich exceeds said separating force.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim17, wherein said separating force is the force of gravity.
 19. Apparatusas defined in claim 17, wherein said path is an arcuate path and saidseparating force is the centrifugal force.
 20. Apparatus as defined inclaim 16, wherein said ejector means comprises at least one pneumaticejector.
 21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said ejectormeans comprises at least one valve.
 22. Apparatus as defined in claim16, wherein said signal generating means is arranged to furnish electricsignals.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said signalgenerating means is arranged to furnish pneumatic signals.
 24. Apparatusas defined in claim 16, wherein said signal generating means comprisesmeans for testing the articles of said series and for producing saidsignals in response to detection of defective articles.
 25. Apparatus asdefined in claim 16, wherein said actuating means is arranged to actuatesaid ejector means for separation of each n-th article of said seriesand wherein n is a whole number exceeding
 1. 26. Apparatus as defined inclaim 16, wherein said control means comprises a valve member having aplurality of grooves each extending along said predetermined portion ofsaid path, said conveyor means comprising a plurality of channel meanseach permanently communicating with a different receiving means andcommunicating with one of said grooves during travel of the respectivereceiving means along said predetermined portion of said path, saidejector means comprising means for conveying a stream of gaseous fluidthrough said grooves and discrete valve means for each of said grooves,each of said valve means being movable between open and closed positionsto thereby respectively permit and terminate the flow of gaseous fluidthrough the respective groove, said actuating means being arranged toeffect movements of said valve means from one to the other positionthereof when a channel means communicating with the receiving means fora selected article communicates with the respective groove. 27.Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said means for conveyingcomprises a source of compressed gaseous fluid and said actuating meansis arranged to effect movements of said valve means to open positions.28. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said means for conveyingcomprises suction generating means and said actuating means is arrangedto effect movements of said valve means to closed positions. 29.Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the length of said grooves isbetween n-1 and n times the distance between a pair of neighboringreceiving means and wherein n is a whole number exceeding
 1. 30.Apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said valve member is astationary valve plate and said conveyor means is arranged to rotateabout a predetermined axis and has an end face in sealing engagementwith said valve plate.
 31. Apparatus as defined in claim 26, whereinsaid valve member is rigid with said conveyor means.
 32. Apparatus asdefined in claim 16, wherein said ejector means comprises a discreteejector for each of said receiving means, said discrete ejectors beingarranged to move with said conveyor means at said elevated speed so asto remain in unchanged positions with reference to the respectivereceiving means.
 33. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein saidconveyor means is arranged to transport said series of articles at aspeed of at least 1,000 articles per minute.
 34. Apparatus forindividually removing cigarettes or analogous rod-shaped articles from aseries of equidistant discrete articles, comprising conveyor meansarranged to move said series of equidistant articles along apredetermined path at an elevated speed, said conveyor means havingequidistant receiving means for the articles of said series; ejectormeans actuatable to subject selected articles of said series to theaction of a separating force acting transversely of said path to therebyremove said selected articles from the respective receiving means, saidforce being effective along a predetermined portion of said path whoselength substantially exceeds the distance between a pair of neighboringreceiving means; control means for moving the point of application ofsaid separating force at said elevated speed along said predeterminedportion of said path; signal generating means for actuating said ejectormeans when a selected article of said series reaches said predeterminedportion of said path; and means for transmitting signals from saidsignal generating means to said ejector means, including a shiftregister arranged to transport signals in synchronism with movements ofthe respective selected articles and means for transmitting signals fromsaid shift register to said ejector means when the selected articlesreach said predetermined portion of said path.
 35. Apparatus as definedin claim 34, wherein said means for transmitting signals from said shiftregister to said ejector means comprises cooperating first and secondsignal transmitting portions respectively provided on said conveyormeans and adjacent to said conveyor means and being out of contact.[.from.]. .Iadd.with .Iaddend.each other.
 36. Apparatus as defined inclaim 35, wherein said signal transmitting portions includephotosensitive means.
 37. Apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein saidsignal transmitting portions include electromagnetic means. .Iadd. 38.In a method of individually removing selected cigarettes or analogousrod-shaped articles from a predetermined path for a series ofequidistant discrete articles moving at an elevated speed and forming aplurality of groups, the articles of one of said groups alternating withthe articles of another of said groups and the removal of selectedarticles being effected by a separating force to the action of which aselected article is subjected in response to a signal, the steps oftransmitting signals for removal of selected articles of said one groupalong a first route; transmitting signals for removal of selectedarticles of said other group along a second route; starting the actionof said separating force in response to the thus transmitted signals andin a direction which crosses said path at a point coinciding with thelocus of the respective selected article; and moving said point ofapplication of said separating force along said path at said elevatedspeed and through a predetermined distance not appreciably less than thedistance between two neighboring articles of said series. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 39. In a method as defined in claim 38, wherein said step ofstarting the action of said separating force is initiated prior toarrival of the respective selected article at said locus so that saidseparating force is built up and is fully effective as soon as therespective selected article reaches said locus. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 40. In amethod as defined in claim 38, wherein said separating force isfurnished at least in part by a gaseous fluid. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 41.Apparatus for individually removing cigarettes or analogous rod-shapedarticles from a series of equidistant discrete articles which form aplurality of groups and wherein the articles of one of said groupsalternate with the articles of another of said groups, comprisingconveyor means arranged to move said series of articles along apredetermined path at an elevated speed, said conveyor means havingequidistant receiving means for the articles of said series; ejectormeans actuatable to subject selected articles of said series to theaction of separating forces acting transversely of said path to therebyremove said selected articles from the respective receiving means, eachof said forces being effective along a predetermined portion of saidpath whose length is not appreciably less than the distance between apair of neighboring receiving means; control means for moving the pointsof application of said separating forces at said elevated speed alongsaid path; and means for actuating said ejector means not later thanwhen a selected article of said series reaches said predeterminedportion of said path, including means for generating signalsrepresenting selected articles of said one group and said other group,means for transmitting to said ejector means along a first route signalsrepresenting said selected articles of said one group, and means fortransmitting to said ejector means along a second route signalsrepresenting said selected articles of said other group. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 42. Apparatus as defined in claim 41, wherein said ejector meanscomprises a discrete pneumatic ejector for each of said plurality ofgroups. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 43. Apparatus as defined in claim 41, whereinsaid signal generating means comprises means for testing the articles ofsaid series and for producing said signals in response to detection ofdefective articles. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 44. Apparatus as defined in claim41, wherein each of said signal transmitting means comprises means foractuating said ejector means before a selected article of said seriesreaches said predetermined portion of said path so that the removal ofsuch selected article begins as soon as the article to be removedreaches said predetermined portion of said path. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 45.Apparatus for selectively removing discrete cigarettes or analogousrod-shaped smokers' products from equally spaced product-receiving meansof a conveyor, comprising at least one control means which is operativeto release products to the action of separating forces acting in adirection to remove the products from the respective receiving means;means for supplying signals for operation of said control means so as tomaintain said control means in operative condition for an interval oftime which is longer than that necessary to move a selected receivingmeans through a distance equal to that between two neighboring receivingmeans on said conveyor; and ejector means for applying said separatingforces to a product in said selected receiving means while said controlmeans is in operative condition and for an interval of time which atmost equals the interval necessary to move said selected receiving meansthrough said distance. .Iaddend.